First Honorees Named for State College Area Maroon & Gray Society

State College Area School District Education Foundation has announced the inaugural honorees for the Maroon & Gray Society, which was created earlier this year to recognize the district’s most noteworthy alumni, faculty and contributors.

The group of seven individuals and one State High team will be inducted during a dinner and ceremony on May 19, 2018 at the Ramada Conference Center. They include the following:

– Matthew Berrena, a 1979 graduate, is a retired Army Ranger who has been inducted into the Ranger Hall of Fame. He still remains active in the local community as a volunteer.

– Joe Boris is a retired teacher and a long time director of the popular intramural basketball program at the high school.

– Marion Bressler (posthumous) taught history from 1960 to 1983 and was credited with introducing AP History to State High and also served as SCAEA President for several years. 

– Bob Drafall directed the Choral Program for almost 20 years and served as the Music Coordinator until his retirement in 2015.

– Carol Gentry taught English at the high school from 1969 to 1999 and was beloved by her students and fellow teachers.

– Steve Gentry is a 1965 graduate who was an accomplished athlete and state champion runner who was featured in Sports Illustrated. He went on to become a teacher and coach at State High. While a track and field and cross country coach, his teams won multiple state championships. 

– Rich Victor was the music coordinator and marching band director. Both programs won numerous awards during his tenure.

– The 1979 baseball team won the 1979 PIAA Class 3A championship by beating Chambersburg 2-1 in the State finals.

More than 60 nominations were received during an open call earlier this year. After the nomination period closed, a volunteer committee reviewed submissions to produce a condensed list of nominees, which was passed on to a second and separate volunteer committee, who chose the final inductees through an anonymous vote. More than 25 alumni and community members participated in the voting committee.

At the May dinner, the foundation also will induct all Distinguished Alumni who have been honored by the State High Alumni Association.  Proceeds from the event will benefit the State College Area High School marching band.

‘The school district administration and the board of directors offered a short list of priority areas in need of funding,’ said foundation President Doug Loviscky. ‘The foundation board reviewed each priority and selected the marching band as this year’s recipient of funds from the Maroon & Gray Society event. The marching band uniforms have not been replaced for many years, and we hope the funds raised will help to fulfill this need.’

Each year, the Maroon & Gray Society will recognize alumni in areas such as business, the arts, academics and athletics, as well as outstanding school groups and retired faculty. Several individual inductees along with one team or group will be selected each year.

 

Nominations for the 2019 Maroon & Gray Society class can be made through the SCASD Education Foundation website at http://scasdfoundation.org/maroon-and-gray-society.html.

“State High has been home to so many remarkable alumni, educators, influencers and stand-out teams and groups, we wanted to find a way to honor these individuals while also supporting today’s students,” said Loviscky.